Each school year the Department programs agricultural commodities and other foods to states for delivery to program and commodity schools, nonresidential child care institutions, and service institutions pursuant to the regulations governing the donation of foods for use in the United States, its territories and possessions and areas under its jurisdiction (7 CFR part 250).
Part 252 provides a program whereby FNS and private processors of food may enter into agreements under which the processor will process and distribute designated donated food to eligible recipient agencies.
The Department purchases foods and donates them to state distributing agencies for further distribution and use in food assistance programs, or to provide assistance to eligible persons.